The Morbidmobile Blog - Page 6

TomSaintJames · Sep 27th, 2018, 09:35

Thanks for the advice guys. Dave, I have quite a few 382 single filament bulbs 'in stock' as over the years i've bought a pair but only ever used 1, but forgotten that I already had spares...

So the main reason that one fo the brake lights isn't working is because there is a single filament 382 bulb in the holder! So after work today i'll pop down to my local motor factors and get some replacements. Then I can book the MOT, as it's just sat there with tax and insurance but no MOT = useless!

I had a little fiddle with the lights last night and have a few question sabout what should be on or not, as it's all little bpdged with this being a hearse rather than saloon.

So when the headlights are on, the following lights (outlined in green) on the back come on.

Turning on the foglights seems to make no difference as to what comes on on the rear lights, which should be the rear fogs?

I've not replaced any other bulbs on this, but noticed last night that the numberplate bulbs need changing. Also, there are no daytime running lights, I'll check but assume that the sidelight bulbs will have been changed for single filaments (sidelights do work).

Thanks.

Laird Scooby · Sep 27th, 2018, 13:19

The rear fogs will only come on with ignition and dipped beam headlights Tom. They're not allowed by law to operate independently.

You should find it's the most inboard of the bottom row of red lights if memory serves correctly. The brake lights will be the most outboard of the bottom row of lights.

I'm not talking about what's in the bumper as i don't know what is in there or why it might have been put there - it might be your rear fogs for all i know. It's not standard, whatever it is.

*** EDIT ***

Found this in my Volvo handbook - although it's for a 760, i'm fairly sure they used the same lights.

Everything seems to tie up with what you have on the outside of the lamps so there's a good chance it is the same.

TomSaintJames · Sep 27th, 2018, 17:56

Ah, that makes sense. So either the rear fogs bulbs are dud, or the switch is dud as nothing comes on when the switch is on (with ignition on/engine on etc).

Interesting, didn't know the bumper inserts weren't standard. They're a bit rough around the edges, as in you can see the gaps around the light lenses, perhaps it needs a bit of trim there or something. The bumper itself has seen better days, quite scratched and gouged in places!

TomSaintJames · Sep 27th, 2018, 21:27

So this evening all bulbs replaced, I now have a full set of rear lights! Except the rear fogs - not sure why they aren't working, I might have a look at the switch on Saturday if I have time, the light on the switch itself doesn't come on when the switch is flicked on, the rear heated screen's (now interior light switch) little light does work.

I did break one of the rear numberplate light units, although in my favour one fo the spade connectors was bypassed with an 'open' end of wire being inserted between the bulb and retaining collar! So looking for a non-corroded/oxidised one.

Another point of interest. With the bootlid open, the lights are on as outlined in green. HOWEVER, when you almost close the bootlid, the bumper lights go out and so do the dimmer brake light/tail lights (no.6 in Dave's very useful image). The plot thickens! Not sure if this is a new development or not, there appears to be no boot-shut sensor/switch...

Laird Scooby · Sep 27th, 2018, 23:03

Have you checked the fog lamp fuse Tom?

The "dimmer stop/tail" lights are in fact the tail lights - the brake lights are much brighter. It sounds as if someone has "piggy-backed" off them to feed the lights in the bumper, possibly from the number plate lights that run on the same supply. Whether the wiring is breaking or what i'm not sure but something wrong is happening!

There won't be a switch, if there is it's illegal as the only lighting switch should be on the dashboard - no extra switches to turn lights off if the tailgate is moved!

Also sounds like you need a replacement pair of number plate bulb holders.

Stephen Edwin · Sep 28th, 2018, 02:57

Do those main lighting units lift with the tailgate? To give a good wide loading aperture? Someone might have fitted a switch to bring on the bumper lights when when the tailgate is open. Perhaps a mercury switch or a magnetic switch.

With the rear lights as they are, are all earth connections OK?

If the main clusters of lights at the rear are mounted to the tailgate, how do the wires reach the tailgate? Are they to any extent damaged &c. ? Including any earth wires.

Laird Scooby · Sep 28th, 2018, 10:10

Turns out they do! Still shouldn't have a switch to bring the bumper lights on but i can see why they come on as well now.

YOu'll have to trace the wiring back to where the new wiring meets the original wiring Tom and work out how it gets up into the tailgate. Then start inspecting it for possible breaks etc in the hinge areas and so on.

Stephen Edwin · Sep 28th, 2018, 11:00

I know so little.

Why, and/or by what law, should there not be a switch to bring the bumper lights on, or a switch other than on the dashboard?

Laird Scooby · Sep 28th, 2018, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

I know so little.

Why, and/or by what law, should there not be a switch to bring the bumper lights on, or a switch other than on the dashboard?

That wasn't what i said - i said there shouldn't be a switch to cut the lights out other than on the dashboard. It's all in the Constructions & Use Regulations.

The only switch i know of to cut ANY rear lights out is the switch fitted to some trailer sockets to cut the rear fogs on the towing vehicle when a trailer with rear fogs is being towed.

Stephen Edwin · Sep 28th, 2018, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

That wasn't what i said - i said there shouldn't be a switch to cut the lights out other than on the dashboard. It's all in the Constructions & Use Regulations.

The only switch i know of to cut ANY rear lights out is the switch fitted to some trailer sockets to cut the rear fogs on the towing vehicle when a trailer with rear fogs is being towed.

So sorry. I try hard not to misquote or incorrectly infer. I think you said "There won't be a switch, if there is it's illegal as the only lighting switch should be on the dashboard - no extra switches to turn lights off if the tailgate is moved!"

Only lighting switch on dashboard .... implicitly and therefore ....no extra switches ... &c.

So sorry to not have understood.

Where in the construction and use regs? They are such a minefield. Someone writing the regs. must have tried to anticipate so many permutations. EEK

Sep 27th, 2018, 09:35	#51
TomSaintJames Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 12:26 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Yeovil	Thanks for the advice guys. Dave, I have quite a few 382 single filament bulbs 'in stock' as over the years i've bought a pair but only ever used 1, but forgotten that I already had spares... So the main reason that one fo the brake lights isn't working is because there is a single filament 382 bulb in the holder! So after work today i'll pop down to my local motor factors and get some replacements. Then I can book the MOT, as it's just sat there with tax and insurance but no MOT = useless! I had a little fiddle with the lights last night and have a few question sabout what should be on or not, as it's all little bpdged with this being a hearse rather than saloon. So when the headlights are on, the following lights (outlined in green) on the back come on. Turning on the foglights seems to make no difference as to what comes on on the rear lights, which should be the rear fogs? I've not replaced any other bulbs on this, but noticed last night that the numberplate bulbs need changing. Also, there are no daytime running lights, I'll check but assume that the sidelight bulbs will have been changed for single filaments (sidelights do work). Thanks. __________________ Mes voitures: 1985 Citroen BX 1.9 GT 1988 Volvo 740 GL Hearse 1991 Saab 900i 2.0 16v Convertible 2007 Lexus RX 400h SE

Sep 27th, 2018, 13:19	#52
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:44 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	The rear fogs will only come on with ignition and dipped beam headlights Tom. They're not allowed by law to operate independently. You should find it's the most inboard of the bottom row of red lights if memory serves correctly. The brake lights will be the most outboard of the bottom row of lights. I'm not talking about what's in the bumper as i don't know what is in there or why it might have been put there - it might be your rear fogs for all i know. It's not standard, whatever it is. * EDIT * Found this in my Volvo handbook - although it's for a 760, i'm fairly sure they used the same lights. Everything seems to tie up with what you have on the outside of the lamps so there's a good chance it is the same. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ Last edited by Laird Scooby; Sep 27th, 2018 at 13:23.

Sep 27th, 2018, 17:56	#53
TomSaintJames Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 12:26 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Yeovil	Ah, that makes sense. So either the rear fogs bulbs are dud, or the switch is dud as nothing comes on when the switch is on (with ignition on/engine on etc). Interesting, didn't know the bumper inserts weren't standard. They're a bit rough around the edges, as in you can see the gaps around the light lenses, perhaps it needs a bit of trim there or something. The bumper itself has seen better days, quite scratched and gouged in places! __________________ Mes voitures: 1985 Citroen BX 1.9 GT 1988 Volvo 740 GL Hearse 1991 Saab 900i 2.0 16v Convertible 2007 Lexus RX 400h SE

Sep 27th, 2018, 21:27	#54
TomSaintJames Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 12:26 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Yeovil	So this evening all bulbs replaced, I now have a full set of rear lights! Except the rear fogs - not sure why they aren't working, I might have a look at the switch on Saturday if I have time, the light on the switch itself doesn't come on when the switch is flicked on, the rear heated screen's (now interior light switch) little light does work. I did break one of the rear numberplate light units, although in my favour one fo the spade connectors was bypassed with an 'open' end of wire being inserted between the bulb and retaining collar! So looking for a non-corroded/oxidised one. Another point of interest. With the bootlid open, the lights are on as outlined in green. HOWEVER, when you almost close the bootlid, the bumper lights go out and so do the dimmer brake light/tail lights (no.6 in Dave's very useful image). The plot thickens! Not sure if this is a new development or not, there appears to be no boot-shut sensor/switch... __________________ Mes voitures: 1985 Citroen BX 1.9 GT 1988 Volvo 740 GL Hearse 1991 Saab 900i 2.0 16v Convertible 2007 Lexus RX 400h SE

Sep 27th, 2018, 23:03	#55
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:44 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Have you checked the fog lamp fuse Tom? The "dimmer stop/tail" lights are in fact the tail lights - the brake lights are much brighter. It sounds as if someone has "piggy-backed" off them to feed the lights in the bumper, possibly from the number plate lights that run on the same supply. Whether the wiring is breaking or what i'm not sure but something wrong is happening! There won't be a switch, if there is it's illegal as the only lighting switch should be on the dashboard - no extra switches to turn lights off if the tailgate is moved! Also sounds like you need a replacement pair of number plate bulb holders. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Sep 28th, 2018, 02:57	#56
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	Do those main lighting units lift with the tailgate? To give a good wide loading aperture? Someone might have fitted a switch to bring on the bumper lights when when the tailgate is open. Perhaps a mercury switch or a magnetic switch. With the rear lights as they are, are all earth connections OK? If the main clusters of lights at the rear are mounted to the tailgate, how do the wires reach the tailgate? Are they to any extent damaged &c. ? Including any earth wires.

Sep 28th, 2018, 10:10	#57
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:44 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Turns out they do! Still shouldn't have a switch to bring the bumper lights on but i can see why they come on as well now. YOu'll have to trace the wiring back to where the new wiring meets the original wiring Tom and work out how it gets up into the tailgate. Then start inspecting it for possible breaks etc in the hinge areas and so on. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Sep 28th, 2018, 11:00	#58
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	I know so little. Why, and/or by what law, should there not be a switch to bring the bumper lights on, or a switch other than on the dashboard?

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